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Hajo is a small village in Kamrup district
32-kms west of Guwahati. It is a place of
pilgrimage both for Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. It was known as a great
centre of culture and learning in the past. Hajo also served as the camp
of the Mohammadans during there invasions of Assam and was included in the
'Koc' kingdom. It is now one of the important centres of Community
Development.
The Sacred Shrines
Hayagriva-Madhava
Temple:
The Hayagriva-Madhava temple on the Manikuta hill is one of the few most
popular Vaishnava Tirthas of Assam. Though the temple here was renovated
in AD 1583, it still bears sculptures and features, which can be assigned
to 8th-9th century AD.
Fakuwa Dol:
Another temple in the precinct of this temple is a stepped structure
known as the Fakuwa Dol, which does not resembles any traditional form of
Hindu temple architecture. The foothill of this hill contains a pond with
numerous fishes and the visitors derive additional pleasures by attracting
them with eatables.
Ganesh Mandir:
Half a kilometre east of the Hayagriva Madhava temple exists the Ganesh
Mandir. The site of the temple originally contained a big image of Ganesh
cut on the western face of huge rock, over which the present brick temple
was built during the late-medieval period.
Kedar Temple & Devi Temple:
The Kedar temple exists on the top of the Kedar Hill. It is a stone-built
Shiva temple, which can be reached by scaling a hilly path from the
foothills. On the same hill exists another historical temple, Jai Durga by
name popularly known as a Devi temple. There is also an old pond near
these temples, which is equally venerated as a pious shrine by the
pilgrims.
A Pious Place Of Buddhism
Hajo is believed by the Bhutanese people as the place of "Parinirvana"
(i.e. death) of 'Mahamuni' alias the Buddha. They believe the image inside
the
Hayagriva-Madhava temple to be that of Mahamuni.
Poa Mecca - An Islamic Specimen
The lofty Garurachala Hill beside the Kedar Hill contains a holy shrine
of the Mohammedans. It is known as Poa Mecca and contains a mosque and the
grave of a saint. A Persian epigraph at this site show that the old
mosque, which is present no more, was built during the reign of the Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan in AD 1657.
The grave here is believed to be of Giyasuddin Auliya who came in 16th
century AD to preach Islam in this region. It is also believed that the
preacher brought a lump of earth from Mecca and enshrined the same at a
spot where the mosque was built in a later period. The orthodox Muslims
believe that Poa Mecca blesses a pilgrim with one-forth of piety, which
can be achieved by a pilgrimage to Mecca. Though situated at the peak of a
lofty hill, Poa Mecca can be visited by a light vehicle through a
well-pitched meandering road.
Some Interesting Legends,
Hajo also contains a few spots having objects associated with interesting
legends. But, they in no way can be said to have any historical or
archaeological background. These are a large stone-ware believed to be
used by Bhima of the Mahabharata fame, a stone believed to be vehicle of
God Mahadeva, a stone platform used by the washer-woman Netai of the Beula
episode, a stone believed to be the solidified lump of butter, which had
dropped down from the hand of Lord Buddha while he was about to die, etc.
Air: Guwahati
is the nearest airport from Hajo.
Rail: The nearest railhead from Hajo is also situated at
Guwahati.
Road: A motorable road from Guwahati
links Hajo with the rest of state.
There are not many options for one to stay
Hajo and therefore the visitor has to halt at Guwahati
itself, which is well equipped with some of the best accommodations in the
state. In addition to the budget options there are luxury hotels also
available in the city such as ITDC's Brahmaputra Ashok.